CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FACT SHEET

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, neurological disease affecting some members of the deer or “cervid” family. Elk, red deer, black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, sika deer, reindeer and moose are currently known to be naturally susceptible. The disease was first recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, and has since been documented in captive and free-ranging deer in 25 states and three Canadian provinces, as well as Norway, Finland and South Korea. Because of the lengthy incubation period, no treatment or vaccination, lack of adequate testing methods, and potential for persistent environmental contamination, this disease presents numerous challenges for wildlife agencies across North America. Of primary concern is the potential for population impacts within deer, elk, or other susceptible cervid herds. Consequently, CWD could impact hunting and hunting-related economies. In Texas, hunting is a $2.2 billion economic engine, supporting many rural towns across the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are working cooperatively to address risks, develop management strategies, and protect resources from CWD in captive and free-ranging cervid populations.

What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)? How can you tell if a deer has CWD? Chronic wasting disease belongs to a family of diseases known Symptoms of infected animals include emaciation, excessive as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). They are salivation, lack of muscle coordination, difficulty in swallowing, believed to be caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins excessive thirst, and excessive urination. Subtle behavioral that disrupt the nervous system of the host. These diseases changes like loss of fear of humans or other abnormal behavior are invariably fatal and there is currently no known cure, are often the first signs noticed. Clinically-ill animals may treatment or vaccination for them. Other TSEs include bovine have an exaggerated wide posture, may stagger and carry the spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, scrapie in sheep, head and ears lowered, dull expression, and have a seemingly feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) in cats in Europe, shaggy hair coat. These symptoms don’t occur until the and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and variant Creutzfeldt- terminal stages of the disease process. It is also important to Jakob (vCJD) in humans. While these diseases are similar in remember that an infected animal may be shedding infective the lesions they create in the brain, they differ in the species prions well before symptoms become apparent. The disease they infect and their modes of transmission. CWD has a long cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone since other diseases incubation period and clinical signs may not appear for two to or conditions can cause the animal to exhibit similar symptoms. four years after infection. Infectious prions are shed before an Definitive diagnosis is made by post-mortem laboratory testing animal shows symptoms. of distinctive parts of the brain and lymph nodes in the throat. It is important to note that existing tests can only detect the How does it spread? disease after it has reached certain structures in the body and Prions are shed from secretions of infected animals in saliva, the animal may be shedding prions before diagnosis. There is urine, blood, and feces. Prions also accumulate in body tissues, currently no truly negative test for CWD. especially nervous tissue like brain and spinal cord, lymph tissue, spleen, eyeball as well as other tissues. Prions are known Why are we concerned about CWD? to persist and remain infectious in the environment for long Population impacts to our deer herds are a major concern. periods of time. Deer and other cervids may become infected Several state agencies have documented population effects in with CWD by direct animal-to-animal contact or indirectly by some herds that have had CWD for a long time and the contact with a contaminated environment. CWD can be spread prevalence or number of animals infected is high. In those from one area to another by the natural movement of infected herds population declines are occurring as well as shifts in animals or by unnatural, man-assisted movement of either live, age structure, to younger animals resulting in fewer mature infected deer or carcass parts from infected deer. animals. In addition, CWD infected deer in these populations are experiencing higher death losses compared to uninfected deer due to predation, car collision and more likely to be tpwd.texas.gov/cwd harvested by hunters. These impacts could affect hunting and continued on back hunting related economies in Texas. While there is no known about processing deer. Finally, when taking deer to a game evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, other TSEs processor, hunters may consider requesting their animals be like BSE, have been shown to cross the species barrier to processed individually, without meat from other animals being humans. The lack of treatment options, vaccination, reliable added to meat from your animal. diagnostic tests, and the potential for infection from persistent environmental contamination are other concerns. Can I have deer venison tested? Deer “venison” cannot be tested. However, appropriate Where has it been found? tissue samples can be tested from a harvested deer. TPWD CWD has been detected in captive and free-ranging cervids in biologists will be collecting tissue samples from hunter- 25 states and three Canadian provinces as well as Norway, harvested deer throughout the state. Test results from Finland and South Korea. North American locations are in: TPWD’s check station sampling will be conveniently posted Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, on the TPWD CWD website within several weeks of collection. Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Utah, In addition, your local veterinarian or people certified New York, West Virginia, Kansas, Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, through TAHC Certified CWD Sample Collector Program can North Dakota, Maryland, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Mississippi, collect the samples for you. The head should be kept cool, Texas, Arkansas, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec. not frozen, until the sample can be collected.

Is CWD dangerous to humans? What can hunters do? Researchers with the Federal Center for Disease Control and Hunters should report any suspected cases of CWD to TPWD or Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and along with the TAHC immediately. Proper disposal of carcasses is strongly Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, have recommended for big game harvested in any area identified as studied CWD and have found no evidence that CWD poses a a CWD endemic zone in order to minimize the risk of spreading serious risk to humans or domestic animals. The World CWD via infected carcass parts to other areas of the state. Health Organization (WHO) has likewise advised that there is Unused carcass parts, especially the brain or spinal tissue, need no current scientific evidence that CWD can infect humans. to be handled responsibly and could be disposed of at the site However, as a precaution, the WHO and the CDC strongly where the animal was harvested, in a landfill, or buried. Hunters advise testing susceptible species harvested in known CWD should also support Texas surveillance efforts and should report areas and to not eat meat from CWD positive animals. For any suspected importation violations. Finally, hunters should more information on their recommendations: www.cdc.gov/ become familiar with information about CWD as well as practical prions/cwd/prevention.html tips they may use in the field to help prevent the spread of CWD and minimize any risks associated with the disease. What precautions should hunters take? Since it’s not always apparent that a deer may be carrying a What should I do if I see a deer that shows disease, hunters should take simple precautions such as wearing symptoms of CWD? latex gloves when field dressing carcasses and washing hands Accurately document the location of the animal (record GPS and instruments thoroughly. Instruments should be disinfected coordinates if possible), take pictures if possible, and immediately with a 2% chlorine bleach solution (3 parts water to 2 parts contact the nearest TPWD Wildlife Division or Law Enforcement household bleach) and rinsed with water after field dressing or Division office, or call TPWD headquarters in Austin toll-free at butchering is complete. Another precautionary recommendation (800) 792-1112 and enter 5 for wildlife and 1 for general wildlife is to avoid sawing through bones and avoid the lymphatic and information; or contact TAHC toll-free at (800) 550-8242. Do neurological tissue (i.e., lymph nodes, brain, and spine). Also, see not attempt to touch, disturb, kill or remove the animal. Early TPWD publication Common Sense Precautions for Handling and detection of CWD in an area is vital to containing the disease Processing Deer (PWD LF W7000-859) for more information to prevent it spreading to other areas of the state.

To learn more: Texas Animal Health Commission: www.tahc.state.tx.us USDA APHIS VS: www.aphis.usda.gov Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance: www.cwd-info.org Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.: www.tpwd.texas.gov/cwd Texas Animal Health Commission: www.tahc.state.tx.us/animal_health/cwd/cwd.html USGS National Wildlife Health Center: www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index.jsp Department of Health & Human Services Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd/index.html

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